Sharlston Rovers A

20-20

Liversedge

Rovers A' settle for share of spoils

Sharlston Rovers ‘A’ .. 20 Liversedge .. 20

Pennine Division Three

Rovers under strength injury hit side almost pulled off an amazing victory against a strong Liversedge outfit, just falling short and having to settle for a share of the spoils. With several regulars missing and 2 being called up for 1st team duties Rovers were always going to be up against it and had to dig deep and show their character in this tough game.

Both sides started well in a tense opening quarter with Rovers drawing 1st blood when influential scrum half Hill jinked his way over after 15 minutes for a self converted score. Rovers increased the lead when Hill tagged over a penalty after some excellent work by Palmer and Hick led to an infringement in front of the sticks.

Hopton and Reville went close and Lawson was held up over the line shortly after with Haigh suffering the same fate 2 minutes later before Liversedge reduced the arrears with a try out wide. On the half hour mark Sedge took the lead when sloppy play from Rovers enabled the visitors to score an easy converted try.

Rovers regained the lead when excellent work from Simpson and Byrom allowed Kavanagh to break free and he scored out wide. Sloppy defending from Rovers just before the interval allowed Sedge to take a 4 point lead into the welcome half time break.

Further injuries meant a reshuffle at the interval and Rovers were still readjusting when Liversedge extended their lead to leave the home side with a mountain to climb. Hard work and good ball skills saw Rovers claw their way back into the match with some good runs from Bailey and Cooper taking the Rovers side deep into Sedge territory, Shaw was unlucky not to score and Haigh was again held up over the line after a neat offload from Hill.

Gallagher and Hill were now running the show and it was only a matter of time before the home sides efforts were rewarded, after good work from veteran Palmer Haigh put Hill through a gap and the youngster scampered over to bring Rovers to within 2 points after his successful conversion.

Rovers went close and thought they had snatched the lead when Kavanagh was harshly denied a try out wide and with time running out the home side settled for a point when Hill slotted over a penalty goal with 5 minutes remaining. Both sides tried unsuccessful drop goal attempts in the closing moments, Hill just shaving the posts with his go but a draw was probably a fair result after both sides worked extremely hard in a tough but fair contest.

Best for Rovers in a determined and spirited team effort were Palmer, Bailey and Byrom, with Hill taking the David Palmer Travel sponsored man of the match award.

Next up for Rovers is a difficult away trip to high flying West Leeds, Sat 24-10-09 kick off 2-30pm, players meet at 12-15 at the clubhouse.